The Housing Education Program, a division of Consumer Credit Counseling Service, is a HUD-certified agency that offers free housing workshops throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Learn about various financial topics, from how to apply for a mortgage to the basics of money management.

Homeownership Course Certificates

A Homeownership Course Certificate is required for eligibility in certain community lending programs, such as the San Francisco Housing Program. To receive a certificate, you are required to complete six hours of housing education and a one-on-one counseling session. Clients typically attend the six-hour First Time Home Buyers: The Basics and Affordable Housing Options workshop and then any additional two-hour workshop. (Alternatively, you can attend any three of our two-hour workshops to meet the requirement.) Choose from the seven workshops listed below:

• Affordable Housing Options for First Time Home Buyers (2 hours)
• Basics of Money Management (2 hours)
• Credit Reports for First Time Home Buyers (2 hours)
• Downsizing Your Debt (2 hours)
• First Time Home Buyers: The Basics and Affordable Housing Options (6 hours)
• How to Keep Your House Out of Foreclosure (2 hours)
• Understanding the Mortgage Loan Process (2 hours)

Housing Education Program Workshop Descriptions

• Affordable Housing Options for First Time Homebuyers
  Learn about local programs that are available to first time homebuyers. Learn what criteria must be met to qualify for first time homebuyer programs and how to plan for your future.

• Basics of Money Management
  Learn how to create a realistic monthly budget, shop for credit, spot early signs of credit problems and develop practical steps to prepare for your financial goals.

• Credit Reports for First Time Homebuyers
  Learn everything first time homebuyers need to know about credit reports, such as what mortgage lenders look for on those credit reports, how to correct inaccurate information, and how to rebuild your credit so that you can buy a house.

• Downsizing Your Debt
  Don't waste your hard-earned money on credit card interest payments! This is a step-by-step guide to organizing your personal finances so you can save money for the future while you pay off debt today. You will learn debt reduction strategies, how to use credit to your best advantage, and how to create your own personal debt repayment plan.

• First Time Homebuyers: The Basics and Affordable Housing Options
  Learn about renting vs. buying, homeowner responsibility, selecting lenders, realtors and brokers, pre-approval vs. pre-qualification, escrow, and closing. You will also learn about local programs that are available to first time homebuyers, what criteria must be met to qualify for first time homebuyer programs, and how to plan for your future.

• How to Keep Your House Out of Foreclosure
  Do you know what to do when you can't make your mortgage payments?  Do you know how to contact the lender and ask for a loan modification?  Did you know that lenders will sometime reduce or suspend mortgage payments? Come to this informative workshop and learn how to protect your largest asset – your home

• Understanding the Mortgage Loan Process
  Learn the types of loans available, how the underwriting process works, the meaning of federal and state disclosures, and what to do if your loan is denied.

Contact the Housing Education Program